Contemp Oncol (Pozn) 2022; 26 (3): 204-219
https://doi.org/10.5114/wo.2022.120700
After carefully reviewing authors explanations and the materials submitted, we must conclude that the concerns raised regarding image duplication have not been satisfactorily addressed.
Authors’ statement that the Control and PBS panels were “inadvertently generated from the same microscopy field” is difficult to reconcile with the fact that these represent distinct experimental conditions, which should have separate samples and independent image sets. A duplication across different treatment groups cannot be adequately explained as a simple figure-assembly error.
Furthermore, the additional images provided at this stage do not resolve the core issue concerning the integrity of the visual data originally presented.
Given the nature of the discrepancies and the absence of a convincing reconstruction of the original figure using appropriate primary data, we do not have sufficient grounds to consider the published material scientifically reliable. After internal editorial consultation, we have concluded that retraction of the article is the appropriate course of action.
This notice is intended solely to alert readers that the content of this article is unreliable.
ADDITION: As a result of the investigation conducted by the parent entity to which the first author of the article was affiliated, admonishments were imposed on all authors, with the first author being responsible for manipulating the research data included in the article, which is scientific dishonesty, and the content contained in the article is not credible.
